Ground breaking ceremony is scheduled on Earth Day, Sunday April 22nd, from 1pm-4pm on the garden site adjacent to the 5th grade classrooms. We will also have a farmers’ market and bake sale.

If anyone has interest in volunteering or helping with this project contact Heather O’Quinn and the Willow Green Team at hoquinn@gmail.com.

We need bakers, helpers, produce donations! Also if you would like to help with de-weeding, raking and hauling away refuse, we need you prior to Earth Day festivities! Email us to volunteer!

There will be a Garden Committee Informational Session on Monday, April 23rd at 3:00 p.m. in the MPR. All are welcome to attend for more info about our Willow Garden and Garden/Green Committee.

All funds raised will go directly to the garden. This project will be fully funded by money raised and materials donated by Willow families, local businesses, nurseries and hardware stores. We will also be selling custom stepping stones at our Farmers Market that can be dedicated and personalized by your child and will be laid as the pathway in the garden area! Look for the opportunity to purchase in the upcoming Willow Auction items! If you have items to donate or connections to resources contact Heather O’Quinn hoquinn@gmail.com.

Garden Benefits:

Willow Elementary School has the potential to enhance student learning outside of the classroom as much as it does inside. A curriculum-based school garden could serve as a living laboratory and outdoor classroom for subjects from science to math enriching our children’s education, right in our own schoolyard. This garden addition will add to the overall health and well being of the children at Willow Elementary by teaching our students responsibility, engaging them with nature as well as encouraging healthy food habits for life.

A school garden can transform the schoolyard into an outdoor learning laboratory, essentially a new “classroom” with endless opportunities for investigation and study, for relatively low cost when compared to the costs of constructing a new science lab classroom. A school garden can be built and used to meet learning standards. Not just content standards but also standards for teaching and instruction that are student-centered involving active investigations that rely on students’ own environment as a context for learning.

Studies show that interacting with nature during the school day stimulates critical thinking and creativity. There are cited benefits of special needs gardening which include improved motor skills, enhanced creativity, increased social skills and improved self-confidence. Gardening also reduces stress and helps children cope with anxiety and frustration.

In the coming weeks, we will be seeking parent volunteers and fundraising efforts as we prepare the designated garden area which will be a boon to our children’s education as well as future students for years to come.

Thanks in advance for your support of the Willow Elementary Garden!
-The Willow Garden/Green Team